LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Joseph Bellino announced he will keynote a formal U.S. flag retirement ceremony at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, at Michigan Memorial Funeral Home in Flat Rock.
“The U.S. flag is a living symbol of freedom here and around the world — representing one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all. We owe it to everyone who has protected that freedom to treat the flag with respect,” said Bellino, R-Monroe. “I am honored to have been asked to participate in this ceremony to retire worn and tattered flags with dignity.
Michigan Memorial Funeral Home is partnering with Southgate VFW Post 9283 to host the formal ceremony. Representatives from 21 Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in Wayne County will be in attendance.
Members of the public, especially veterans and their families, are invited to attend the service, which will include a procession with police escort from the Southgate VFW Hall to the funeral home. The ceremony will be emceed by local celebrant Denise Tucker.
The event will also feature patriotic musical selections, including “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful” and a stirring medley of U.S. armed forces anthems.
The service will conclude with a traditional military gun salute by the well-known Downriver Honor Guard and a procession to the on-site crematory, where the flags will be burned as sanctioned by the U.S. Flag Code. A reception with refreshments will follow the service.
“We are indescribably proud to assist the VFW in honorably retiring the most important symbol of our nation, our flags, when they are no longer serviceable,” said Craig Roe, general manager of Michigan Memorial Funeral Home. “We respectfully serve many military families and their loved ones who should never be forgotten.”
The Downriver Honor Guard is a nonprofit organization of veteran volunteers who provide military ceremonies at funerals and memorials to honor all veterans.
Michigan Memorial Funeral Home is located at 30895 W. Huron River Drive in Flat Rock.
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